Plans to extend marina criticised

THE environmental group GOB yesterday criticised plans to extend the marina in S'Estanyol, as it means that a protected area will be affected and will also mean that the current marina will be five times bigger. This project “is much more than an extension,” said a spokesperson from the organisation. The southern marina, which currently has 285 mooring spaces, will eventually have 638 berths. The old public quay would also disappear and in its place there will be “a new building for social affairs and workshops, and there will a drinking water network laid”. The marina extension will also affect the area which is located in a Special Interest Natural Area (Anei), a Marine Reservation, a Special Protection Area for Birds (Zepa) and a Place for Community Interest (LIC), GOB warns. “There are few marine areas in the Balearic Islands which enjoy the same amount of protection as this coastal region does,” and this must be taken into account in “a clear way” when carrying out the project, added the environmental organisation. According to GOB, the extension will decrease the quality of the bathing water, will negatively affect meadowlands, increase contamination and negatively affect the look of the area. Furthermore, it will put into danger the “charm” and “identity” of this small marina in the Llucmajor region.